Amusement apparatus



April 28, 1925.

H. F. MAYNES AMUSEMENT APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 12, 1925MOIW I; ATTORNEYS April 28, 1925.

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UNITED STATES HY-LA FREDERICK HAYNES, OF NORTH 'IONAWANDA, NEW YORK,ASS'IGNOR, TO

IMAYNESCORPORATIONT, OF DOVER, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION 9 F DEULA?ARE.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

Application filed. February 12, 1925. Serial No. 8,694.

To all whom it'onag concern:

Be it known that l, HILA F. .MnYNns, a citizen of the United States,residing at North Tonawanda, in the county of Niagara, State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in AmusementApparatus: and I do hereby declare the following .to be a full, clear,andexact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make use the same.

This invention relates to an amusement ride, and has for its object themaking of an improved ride and the provision of novel means forattracting attention to theride.

The ride of the present invention com- .prises a car or train of carswhich travel around an enclosed endless trackway, preferably tortuousand undulating. The portion of the outer side wall of the enclosingtunnel which extends along the midway or public thoroughfare, orwherever it is that the crowds'pass, is provided with a translucentscreen or curtain. A strong projecting light is placed at the other sideof the tunnel at this point and is directed against the cars as theypass, thus casting a silhouette or shadowgraph of the cars and theiroccupants upon the translucent outer wall of the tunnel. This movingshadowgraph is clearly visible to those passing in the midway and theyare attracted to the ride.

Instead of projecting merely a shadowgraph of the cars upon a whitebackground, I may also project a scenic panonma upon the translucentouter wall of the tunnel, the projecting light of the panorama in thiscase casting a silhouette of the cars upon the screen. I preferably movethis panorama in a direction opposite to that in which the cars aremoving, thus making it appear that the cars are rushing through thedepicted scene at a terrific rate of speed.

I preferably provide a series of collapsible translucent curtains whichmay be opened to permit passengers to enter and leave the cars. I alsoprovide an alternate series of opaque curtains so that at times the carscan be run within a. darkened tunnel. The invention also contemplatesnovel means tor opening and closing these curtains.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a preferred embodimentof the present invention. In these drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view ofthe ride of the present invention with parts broken away to show therelation of the train to the movable curtains and projecting means.Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section on an enlarged scale takenalong line .22 of .Figure 1. Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectionon an enlarged scale taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is anenlarged vertical section taken along line H of Figure 1, and showing indetail the curtains and their supporting and operating mechanism. Figure5 is a horizontal section taken along line 5-5'of Figure .4. In bothFigures at and 5, one section of the curtains is shown with one curtaincollapsed and the other extended and an adjacent section withbothcurtains collapsed. This condition could never occur in actualpractice, but is illustrated merely in order to show two possiblepositions of the curtains .in one view. Figure 6 is a view similar toFigure at, but on a reduced scale showing the opaque curtains collapsedand the translucent curtains closed with a silhouette of a train andpanorama projected on them. Figure 7 is an enlarged detail showing boththe opaque and translucent curtains in open or collapsed position.Figure 8 is a similar detail showing the opaque curtain collapsed andthe trans lucent curtain in extended or closed position. Figure '9 is asimilar detail showing the opaque curtain closed and the translucentcurtain open or collapsed.

. The ride illustrated in these drawings comprises a tortuous undulatingtrackway 1 supported upon a frame 2 and enclosed, for the greater partof its length, by means of a canopy or cover 3, likewise supported uponthe frame 2. A car or train of cars 4; is designed to run upon thistrackway and for the greater part of the ride travels through theenclosed tunnel formed by the side walls and .roof of the canopy orcover 3. This train is preferably electrically driven and receives itspower from a power plant situated in the middle of the ride throughcollector rails .5 which make contact with brushes 6 carried by certaincars of the train. The specific means for driving the train forms nopart of the present invention and will not be described in detail here.A loading plattorm 7 runs adjacent the trackway around the entire rideand is likewise supported upon the frame 2.

That section of the trackway adjacent the public thoroughfare, or, inany event, closest that point where the largest number of persons arelikely to pass or congregate, s straight in plan view as is shown mostclearly in Figure- 1, although undulating in a vertical plane as shownmost clearly n Figure 6. For this section the arched roof of the tunnelis supplanted by a straight inclined roof 8 which continues to a peak 9where it meets a similarly inclined roof 10 of an awning. In accordancewith the present invention I also supplant the continuous outer wall ofthe tunnel of this section with a series of collapsible curtains which Ishall now describe.

Frame 2 is provided along the outer side of the wall of the tunnel ofthis section with eleven uprights 12 which support the roof 10 of theawning and the roof 8 and also support the collapsible curtains of thepresent invention. To each of these uprights is afiixed a pair of spacedparallel strips 20 which support a series of upper and lower pulleys 13which carry two upper endless cables 14: and 15 and two lower endlesscables 16 and 17 respectively. These cables pass about the severalpulleys and make several turns about electrically driven hoist drums 18and 19; upper cable let and lower cable 16 being operated by drum 1S andupper cable 15 and lower cable 17 by drum '19. The hoist drums are eachcontrolled through an electrical push button which rotates in onedirection when the button is pushed, the drum automatically stopping,after a predetermined number of revolutions another button is thenpushed to drive it in the opposite direction. Hoist drums of this natureare well-known and in themselves form no part of the present invention.To each of the pairs of parallel strips 20 of the nine inner uprights 12two collapsible curtains 21 are attached, one of these being made ofsome translucent material, such as treated bleached muslin, and theother being made of opaque material, such as painted canvas, andpreferably of dark color. The strips 20 of the two outer uprights 12 areprovided with one of these curtains, as will be clear from an inspectionof Figure 6. The free, or movable end of each curtain is attached to avertical bar 22, which bar preferably is in the form of an angle ironand is provided at either end with an aperture through which one of theendless cables passes and is attached. Each curtain is also providedwith a series of rings 23 adapted to slide upon the endless ables andhold the curtain in position.

As illustrated in Figures st and 5, the hoist drum 18 controls themovement of the translucent curtains. Rotation of this drain in onedirection operates through endless cables 11 and 16 to move the bars 22attached to the translucent curtains, to tne left, thus closing the sideWall of the tunnel with a continuous translucent wall. Rotation of thisdrum in the opposite direction moves these bars to the right andcollapses the translucent curtains, thus opening the side wall of thetunnel, provided the opaque curtain is collapsed. The drum 19 simi larlycontrols the opening and closing of the opaque curtain. Figure 7illustrates the condition between two of the uprights with both curtainscollapsed and the side wall of tunnel open. Figure 8 shows thetranslucent curtain closed and Figure 9 the opaque curtain closed. Froma study of these three figures, it will be noted that the bars 22 movein substantially the same vertical plane and cannot pass each other. Forthis reason it is impossible ever completely to close both thetranslucent and the opaque curtains at the same time, athough it spossible to open them both at the same time. If, when the translucentcurtains are closed, as shown in Figure 8. the drum 19 is operated toclose the opaque curtain, the translucent curtain is automaticallycollapsed through the movement of both bars 22 to the right.

When the translucent curtains are all closed, I project a shadowgraph orsilhon ette of the train and its occupants upon the curtains by means ofa pair of strong lights 2-4, such as Linnebach lights, situated alongthe inner side of the tunnel. In order to project a panorama on thecurtain, I have provided a pair of projecting lanterns 27 situatedadjacent the Linnebach lights. The panoran'ia and shadowgraphs projectedupon the translucent curtains are visible not only to the occupants ofthe train, but are equally visible to the passers-by. These shadowgraphsand panorama are most effective at night, but even during the daytimeare visible to those outside the tunnel by virtue of the shading actionof the awning which projects beyond and in front of the curtain.

The ride is operated as follows: Both sets of curtains are collapsed topermit ready access to the train within the tunnel, passen gers enteringover a stairway 2(3 and across loading platform 7. vv hen the passengersare seated. the train is started and the dark curtains closed byrotation of drum 1!). The dark curtains being closed, the train is runwithin a completely enclosed tunnel which tends to produce an illusionof great speed. After a few turns in this darkened tunnel the operatorcauses drum 18 to rotate, thus suddenly extending the translucentcurtains and simultaneously collapsing the dark curtains. The outer sidewall of the tunnel or the section adjacent the entrance is therebyquickly transformed from a dark opaque wall to a translucent wall.'lhereupon, the

Linnebach lights or the projecting lanterns are flashed on, the formerthrowing a silhouette of the cars and passengers on the translucentcurtain, and the latter projecting a moving panorama and asilhouettethereon. These shadowgraphs and panorama are visible first of all to theoccupants of the train, and then are visible to those on the outside whosee dark figures moving rapidly through the panoramic scene. Thispanorama is preferably made to move in a direction opposite to that inwhich the car moves, thus making it appear that the cars are travellingat a much greater speed than they actually are. In order to addexcitement and interest, I prefer to install a blower or fan 27 whichdirects a sudden blast of air against the passengers in the train andcauses them to clutch wildly for their hats and otherwise deportthemselves in strange ways. This discomtiture is not only apparent tothe passengers themselves, but in silhouette can be observed by those onthe outside, all of which arouses curiosity and interest and a desire onthe part of the passer-by to take a journey on this strange conveyancehimself.

I claim:

1. In an amusement ride, the combination of a passenger-carrying car ort am, a translucent curtain adjacent the path of travel of the car ortrain, and means for project ing a shadowgraph of the car or train uponthe translucent curtain.

In an amusement ride, the combination of a passenger-carrying car ortrain, a translucent curtain between the path of travel of the car ortrain and a public thoroughfare, and means: for projecting a shadowgraphof the car or train upon the translucent curtain visible to the outsidepublic.

3. In an amusement ride, the combination of: a passenger-carrying car ortrain, a translucent curtain adiacent the path of travel of the car ortrain. and means for projectiug upon the translucent curtain a shadmwgra 'Jh of the car or train and a panorama.

4. In an amusement ride, the combination of a passenger-carrying car ortrain. a translucent curtain adjacent the path of travel of the car ortrain. means for projecting a shadowgraph of the car or train upon thetranslucent curtain and additional means for projecting a panorama uponthe translucent curtain.

5. In an amusement ride, the combination of a passenger-carrying car ortrain, a translucent curtain adjacent the path of travel of the car ortrain, means for moving the curtain to permit access to the car ortrain. and means for-projecting a shadowgraph of the car or train uponthe translucent curtain when closed.

6. In an amusement ride, the combination of a passengencarrying car ortrain, a tunnel in which the car or train runs, a translucent outerside-wall section in the tunnel adjacent a public thoroughfare, andmeans for projecting a shadowgraph of the car or train upon thetranslucent side-wall section, visible to those on the outside.

7. In an amusement ride, the combination of a passenger-carrying car ortrain, a tunnel in which the car or train runs, a translucent out-erside-wall section in the tunnel comprising a plurality of movabletra'nshr cent curtains, means for simultaneously moving said curtains topern'rit access to the car or train, and means for projecting ashadowgraph of the car or train upon said curtains when closed.

8. In an amusement. ride, the combination of a passenger-carrying car ortrain, a .tunnel in which the car or train runs, an outer side-wallsection of the tunnel provided with a movable translucent curtain .and amovable opaque curtain. and means for moving one of said curtains tocomplete the tunnel while the other remains out of the way.

5). In an amusement ride, the combination of a passenger-carrying car ortrain, atunnel in which the car or train runs, an outer side-wallsection of the tunnel provided with a movable translucent curtain and amovable opaque curtain, and means for closing one of said curtains whileopening the other.

10. In an amusement ride, the combination of a passenger-carrying car ort'ain, a tunnel in which the car or train runs. an outer side-Availsection of the tunnel provided with a movable translucent curtain and amovable opaque curtain, and means for opening both curtains to permitaccess to the car or train.

11. In an amusement ride. the combination of a passenger-*arrying car ortrain, a tunnel in which the car or train runs. an outer side-wallsection of the tunnel provided with a plurality of collapsibletranslucent curtains, a plurality of collapsible opaque curtains andmeans for collapsing one set of curtains while extending the other.

12. In an amusement ride, the combination, of a passenger-carrying caror train. a tunnel in which the car or train runs, an outer side-wallsection of the tunnel pro vided with a plurality of collapsibletranslucent curtains. a plurality of collapsible opaque curtains andmeans for collapsing both sets of curtains sin'iulta-neously.

13. In an amusement ride, the combination of a passenger-carrying car ortrain, a tunnel in which the car or train runs, a plurality ofhorizontally movable. collapsible translucent curtains forming, whenclosed, a side wall of the tunnel. an endless cable connected to oneside of each of said curtains, uprights to which the other sides areattached and means for moving the cable to simultaneously extend all 01said curtains to close the tunnel, and siinultaneousl collapse them allto open the tunnel and permit access to the car or train.

14. In an amusement ride, the combination of a passenger-carrying car ortrain, a tunnel in which the car or train runs, a plurality ofhorizontally movable, collapsible, translucent. curtains, a plurality ofhorizontally movable, collapsible, opaque curtains, each set forming,when closed, a sidewall of the tunnel, uprights, one side. of atranslucent curtain and one side of an opaque curtain attached to eachupright, a movable bar attached to the other side of each curtain, andlyingin the same vertical plane, means for simultaneously moving all ofthe bars attached to one set of curtains to close that set, the bars onthe closing set forcing the bars on the other set ahead of them tocollapse that set.

1.5. I11 an amusement ride, the combination of a passenger-carrying caror train, a tunnel in which the car or train runs, an undulatingtrackway upon which the car or train runs, a plurality of collapsiblecurtains torn'iing, when closed, a side-wall ol' the tunnel each curtainbeing substantially parallel with the adjacent section of the undulatingtrackway, and means for opening and closing said curtains.

16. In an amusen'ient ride, the combina tion of a passenger-earrying caror train, a tunnel in which the car or train runs. a translucent outerside-wall section in the tunnel, a source of light on the other side 01the tunnel "for vn'ojecting a shadmvgraph of the moving car or train onthe translucent curtain, and an awning tor shielding: the translucentcurtain from other lights.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

I-IYLA FREDERICK B'LXYNES.

